Mark Brown’s Party Holds the Upper Hand
There was no majority winner in the 2022 General Election after the preliminary count last night, however, the governing Cook Islands Party holds the upper hand to retain power with support of Independent seats.
Cook Islands Party is led by Mark Brown.
Cook Islands Parliament looks set for a shake up after the general election, but Mr Brown is in the driving seat.
In preliminary results, the ruling Cook Islands Party performed solidly and is projected to win 10 seats, but the new United Party, appears to have secured as four.
One of those parties will increase its representation by one after their candidates tied in Natangiia and counting continues.
Three independents are set to be elected in the Pa Enua (Outer Islands).
Thirteen seats are required for a majority.
The Democrats are projected to take six seats - at the 2018 election it won 11.
Prime Minister Mark Brown looks set to win a resounding victory in his Takuvaine-Tutakimoa seat - he has a substantial lead over the Democrats’ contender Davina HoskingAshford.
Democrats’ leader Tina Brown should be safe in her Rakahanga seat, but her deputy William ‘Smiley’ Heather appears to have lost out to the United Party’s Tim Tunui Varu in Ruaau.
The preliminary figures also show United’s Robert Stanley Heather well ahead in Akaoa, and New Zealand netball legend Margaret
Matenga, taking Titikaveka, both at the expense of the Democrats.
Two of the independents in the outer islands were incumbents and they will be joined by Stephen Matapo from Mauke.
In the outgoing parliament the Cook Islands Party held power with the support of two independent MPs and the single candidate from the One Cook Islands Movement.